Yes I am new on these forum's but I have spent the last year looking in, no im not a member of the press (But years ago I did do a Military Press Course!), Im helping a Friend setup a Military Sales Website......

When I was in we all purchased Windproof Smocks, Hele Hanson Field Jackets, and Bergans but that was a few years ago.

So What equipment do you now need to purchase yourselves? Which companies equipment and clothing do you like? e.g. Arktis, Webtex, BCB etc?

What is important? IRR? Price? Colours? etc

Have you had any bad experiecences with purchased equipment? What happened?

Any help would make my life easier, and you never know I might even offer you all a discount......

Field equipment needs to be as light as possible, as compact as possible, easy & simple to use, robust and as squaddie proof as possible. When considering stocking something maybe you should think if it fulfills all of those if you are serious about all this.

Thank you yes I am very serious about this, We all know the places that advertise in Soldier Mag (Back Page I think?) Item costs Â£79.99 anywhere else and Silver.......s sell it for Â£179.99, I personally belive this has gone on far too long.

Its about time that more Ex-Forces got envolved with selling equipment, at the right prices, and telling the truth about it.

I was employed a few years ago by one of the biggest sellers of Military Field Equipment, Gulf 2 came up and they were shipping Battlevests that had NOT been made in IRR Material. Me as Ex Forces refused to sell said vest, major fallout.

I think one of the most important things to do, is to tell the truth about any equipment or clothing that we sell.

If an item is IRR say so, If it isnt also say so. Stop making 200% profit on all items, Offer a good replacement / refund service, and try and get the prices down to what the average person can afford.

I would but I want to get it right first, find out what equipment is rearly needed.

Smocks, battlevests, bergans, boots etc

Then get the website running correctly, then advertise it - yes It will then be going in Soldier Mag, Combat and Survival and a massive Web Push.

But rather then just prioduce a "normal" surplus site, and want to get it right, and from what I can see, the people on this site tell the truth, and I would rather be stocking items that are needed rather then items that look good but are f%%k all use?

Yes I could look at putting the URL in my signature, but until I get the above done correctly I don't want or need to.........

Well for a start, avoid anything made by Webtex like the plague. (shudder at thought of ever using their equipment again).
Best bet is to go for a good mix of new stuff and surplus - there is a company called USMC who primarily sell new equipment, most of which is frankly cack and no old/used gear which people actually want. If you want a few ideas for stock, PM me and Ill come up with a list of what i can never seem to find and need badly or what i am always delighted to come across when i do eventually find it. Would post here, but its late...

Have a look at what other nations use relevant to their own climate.
Arctic, Jungle, Desert. As british soldiers we have a good uniform designed for Temperate climates. But at the outer edges of the climate the selection is bonk..

First off, a good supply of the essentials obviously i.e. bungees, good & strong hooks though, paracord in different lenghts, tent pegs etc. etc. all the little thinmgs every soldier will need. Yeah, i'd keep minimal Web-Tex...if any. Also I like you're idea about giving the gen on hwat you sell, too many times the bloke on the end of the line hasn't a clue about what he's selling or about what's important to a soldier. If you get this one right, you are gonna make a name for yourself mate and get a good business going, cause too many places kick the arse out of it.

I know im going to need luck, but its about time that an ex member of the British Army got this Equipment Supply thing sorted!

Reference Webtex - its aimed at the Cadet Forces, but they have just started to change and upgrade some of their products! They have started to produce an IRR Battlevest - its a very good copy of the Arktis Jungle Vest and much cheaper!...... You could go as far as to say it "might" be made in the same factory..........

I have also got the rights to sell Battlevests made by a new firm based in Norway - They produce many different designs in most colours and all Brit Desert and DPM items are IRR compatable to MOD Specs!

When its comes to massed produced equipment, don't belive any of the hype, so say an item has been made in the UK, can mean any of the following:-

It was made in the UK

It was put together in the UK

It had a lable put in it in the UK

And most of the big players in the equipment market place now use a factory in China to produce all there equipment - Its just comes off the production line with a different label on it.

Have a look at the Arktis A4 Notebook holder then the Webtex version of the same product - Whats the difference THE PRICE?

I think as long as we always tell the truth, and don't push the bull***T factor at all, we should get a better name then most.

Thanks for the replys so far, I will make sure that I mesage all the people that help with a discount code when we launch?

Lowa boots, I've also used Matterhorns, though they were QM's local purchase rather than my own. Decent liner and main socks. Helly Lifa tops and bottoms at a below 'new-mortgage' price. Some helium inserts for my bergan? Hip flasks? Nice cushions so my arrse doesn't get so shiney nor my chalfonts so bruised.

Oh and see if you can set up your bank details so that when my joint bank account statement comes through your part reads as if you were a local filling station - you might have to do deals on a "fifty-ish (but not exactly) quid per month for the following amount of time" basis. You'll half the threat of divorce in my house if nowhere else...

daysacs - No problem, I will be able to get Daysacks, Bergans and Patrol Bergans (NI Type)

leathermans, gerbers - Again should not have a major problem with these.

assault vests - Will be offering a NEW MOLLE type of design, a SA80A2 Vest, a LSW Vest, a Minimi Vest, Chest Rigs, Advanced Chest Rigs, and more all in ALL CAMS including Desert and Brit DPM, all made in IRR Material, all with Lifetime Warranties.

nirex folders - Should not be a problem - but still trying to sorce at a good price

softies, buffalos - Have a version of the Softie - but need to know if this is now an issue item?

lowa boots - Can't sorce boots at a good enough price yet, but may have a chance to get some Magnam Type boots with Gortex lining, at a very good price

desert boots - As above, was offered Pro Boots - But arn't they on issue?

canoe bags - No problems here. Will be selling Bergan size, Side Pouch size and Utility pouch size, is it true that the RM now issue them? If that the case why don't you indent for them with the NSN Number?

mini maglites - covered.

arktis can get but the best Arktis stuff I belive is the Smocks and Battlevests and I already have a supplier of what I belive to be better Battlevests

I don't belive in stocking any item that is on General Issue, but if an item is only issued to say the RM, then it would be worth stocking this item.

Another aim is when we do sell "issue equipment" to always keep the price below what you would have to pay for it, if you went diffie........ Whats better get a replacement from us, or pay more to the QM?

Do any of you serving types still use Zoot Suit Tops (Showing my age now!) used to be self made by para types......

I have the option of having these made in the UK and in British DPM / Olive Green/Black? Should be looking at under Â£10.00 per top? Is this the sort of price you would be looking at?

I know that Arktis sell their version for Â£17.63

I belive that HM Supplies and SASS also do a version, would this be a good option.

Sorry about all the questions, but I want when I launch this to get it right. Its bad enough that you have to put up with the equipment that you get issued, without having another Surplus shop ripping you off with S**T overpriced equipment?